Montessori Preschool Singapore – Early Reading Following the Montessori Approach

The Montessori philosophy to learning is based on providing a child with a rich environment of quality learning and exploratory materials, which will encourage a child to be creative and explore on their own.  Children are observed, to see what their interests are, and activities are suggested that seems to fit with these interests.

Montessori Preschool Singapore – The Montessori philosophy to learning is based on providing a child with a rich environment of quality learning and exploratory materials, which will encourage a child to be creative and explore on their own.

Instead of trying to guide the child’s efforts, the proper way to do the activity is demonstrated to the child, then they are allowed to concentrate on learning the activity themselves. The end result is that the child basically does a lot of their own teaching. A child’s early reading experiences can fit well with an overall Montessori approach.

Selection of Books

Having a wide selection of books on various topics is important, as there should be enough books for a child to explore so the child doesn’t feel limited.  Children should be encouraged to explore many different topics on whatever they show an interest in.

Once a particular interest in a certain type of book or topic has been observed in a child, more books can be added, but a child’s book collection should never be limited even to the subjects that they currently show an interest in, because having other subjects available will inspire curiosity and exploration.

Books about real things as opposed to fiction and storybooks are most important, because encouraging a passion for books on real subjects is a good way to help prepare a child for the types of learning materials they will use later in life.

Choose books for your child which are beautiful and appealing, as well as those which are easy for your child to handle on their own. Especially in the case of young children who cannot yet read, pictures are the main thing that will draw a child to a book.

Books that have beautiful and yet realistic photographs and drawings are the best choice, as opposed to cartoons, which are less desirable. The language and grammar of a child’s books should be correct as well, as a child will learn to pattern their own language after the examples they read in books.

Other Montessori Resources

Besides books, there are other types of Montessori resources which can be helpful for a young child as they prepare to learn to read.

Alphabet letters, such as a set of tactile sandpaper letter cards, can help a child explore the alphabet and practice pre-writing skills by tracing the letters with their fingers.

Montessori movable alphabet sets are another terrific learning resource, allowing a child to explore the sounds of letters, learn the sounds that they make, and how the letters can be put together to form words.

Photo cards that feature beautiful pictures that a child can match with the letters that make the sound the object starts with are also a good resource for a pre-reading child.

When introducing learning materials to a child, it is important to demonstrate the proper way that they should be used.

Materials should not just be given to a child to be used in a random fashion, as it is important that the child first be introduced to the materials so that they understand their purpose. Then the child should be allowed to explore the materials and master the skills on their own, with their progress being observed.